tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post659135341913780697..comments2024-03-22T11:45:16.464-07:00Comments on Playing the Top 100 Golf Courses in The World: The European ClubTop 100 Golferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16730165824981497579noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-57664938322871165482018-01-13T13:36:41.808-08:002018-01-13T13:36:41.808-08:00Today I played The European Club. It was the tough...Today I played The European Club. It was the toughest course I've ever played. The 25 mph wind and rain made it true Irish Test. Shot 91 and felt pretty good about it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03016842352538598118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-14161946008245122542017-04-19T06:33:02.489-07:002017-04-19T06:33:02.489-07:00Paul - thanks for the comments on the blog and the...Paul - thanks for the comments on the blog and the thoughtful comments about European Club. It's nice to hear that the Ruddys are still true to their vision and it is a pleasant place to play, I must have hit it on a bad day. Will have to return soon. JohnTop 100 Golferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16730165824981497579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-83923104812578304582017-04-19T03:10:07.308-07:002017-04-19T03:10:07.308-07:00Have loved reading your blog for the last few year...Have loved reading your blog for the last few years; congratulations on the achievement of playing all 100, and writing so eloquently about the experience. Was thrilled to read about your invite for Augusta.<br /><br />Just thought this would make you smile while I re-read some of your reviews. <br /><br />We played Mr Ruddy's masterpiece two weekends ago. Was my second visit (first in 2013), and a friend's first. Spent the Saturday there, playing 36. On the morning, there was our 4 ball, a member and partner 20 mins ahead, and then a two-ball several holes behind us. Mr Ruddy said they were keeping membership numbers and the numbers of visitors low so it didn't spoil the golf. We were blessed with sunny and relatively calm conditions - it was amazing! The conditioning was first class - as good as anywhere you'll play this side of the pond in the middle of August.<br /><br />After lunch Mr Ruddy insisted we take buggies free of charge, that we had the course to ourselves, and to fit in as much in as we could before dark, in whatever order took our fancy. On the first green, his son passed on the way back to the clubhouse, and stopped to tell us the buggies we'd parked a few yards down the fairway could go anywhere we liked, 'we're not like other places. Just drive 'em where you want, just not on the greens. It's here for you to enjoy, you'll do it no harm. You've got a great day for it.' <br /><br />He was right. One of those days you tell people about for years afterwards. Can't thank Mr Ruddy/the family enough. Just thought you'd be happy to know it hasn't become the 6 hour slog you worried about ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07713069505870061294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-64269156523380473572013-07-29T19:28:21.689-07:002013-07-29T19:28:21.689-07:00Played the European Club in October 2012 with a gr...Played the European Club in October 2012 with a group of 8 from the US. It was universally agreed to be the sternest test we faced in Ireland. A fantastic course with great views and unforgiving rough. In the wind, it was an absolute brute. Pat Ruddy designed a true masterpiece in the European Club. Bring your A-game or a bring at least a dozen balls.Chris Welshnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-3920609702119811752012-11-26T17:20:22.462-08:002012-11-26T17:20:22.462-08:00I played the European Club on Super Bowl weekend i...I played the European Club on Super Bowl weekend in 2011. Hey Vegas is crowded and you can bet on the game in Ireland too. What you may also be able to do is get 2 sunny 50 degree days and play Royal County Down and the Euro Club for a total of $125. <br /><br />Now we were offered a special winter rate of 35 Euro to play on the Monday following the game. We had a late breakfast and headed to the tee to find that the only 2 groups on the course were nearly done. The course was in fantastic shape for the middle of winter. The greens rolled true and relatively fast with some aid from the wind. The are a number of great holes and some stunning views as the course meets the sea at the 12th. We played all 20 holes and finished as the sun was coming down. The gent was waiting on us to finish. We left and he followed us out and locked the gate. It was kind of like using someones private playground. To be fair the summer rate of 180 Euro seems a bit steep and they don't seem to have any twilight or four ball offers type offers found at many courses. They probably don't need to. It's a fantastic course and certainly worth a go if your travels permit. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05178239282181206672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-27466631019993968962012-02-18T06:56:20.681-08:002012-02-18T06:56:20.681-08:00I played the E Club in Oct. '03 and have been ...I played the E Club in Oct. '03 and have been enamored. I look forward to going back to see the burn.<br /><br />I would implore all to take the coastal road from or to Dublin and at least take a look at Wicklow Club in Wicklow. It is a mini Pebble Beach. I didn't play it but I walked a few holes and it was beautiful. If I remember it is not long but gorgeous.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14025943384536016378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-88034155696572329952010-06-26T11:19:44.563-07:002010-06-26T11:19:44.563-07:00I played the European club in Sept 09 and it was a...I played the European club in Sept 09 and it was a fantastic, hard course. If you are anywhere near dublin, you should make the trip. No caddies and we took a cart. Pat was there and met us prior to and after the round, great staff, great holes, great job, railroad ties for bunkers edgesErik Shttp://LAPDshop.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-41347906267550284242009-03-23T12:49:00.000-07:002009-03-23T12:49:00.000-07:00I played it 2 weeks later (also Saturday) and we n...I played it 2 weeks later (also Saturday) and we needed 4 hours as a foursome.<BR/><BR/>Conditions were perfect, perhaps you were a bit unlucky this day.<BR/><BR/>Nice blog though!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-535400859021729982009-01-21T15:10:00.000-08:002009-01-21T15:10:00.000-08:00you should try playing cantigny golf club in wheat...you should try playing cantigny golf club in wheaton illinois. everyhole is scenic, and tucked away from the others. and the course is in great shape. ive played courses like doral, tpc at sawgrass, ect. and this course tops em allAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-26233312411408316702008-07-15T06:35:00.000-07:002008-07-15T06:35:00.000-07:00We played The European in June '08 and it was not ...We played The European in June '08 and it was not at all crowded. In fact, we played both days of a weekend and since Sunday afternoon was so open following our morning round, Pat Jr. made a rather generous offer which we accepted, and played 36 that day. A wonderful golf course which, with Royal County Down and Waterville, is among my three favorites. The fairways were the best that we have played over there, and the greens were very good. Last, but not least, rain is not the factor it is in the southwest. We will go back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-30873270028398561042008-04-20T07:48:00.000-07:002008-04-20T07:48:00.000-07:00I want to thank you for this wonderful website. I...I want to thank you for this wonderful website. I was a 6 handicap in my early 20s but abandoned the game for a decade of college, grad school and self-destructive theorizing. Now an attorney, I have taken it up with gusto and have enjoyed your travelogue. I have played only a few of these course - luckily that includes Augusta, but I love your idea of playing them all. The pics and narrative are nice and provide some inspiration.<BR/><BR/>I was surprised Doral's Blue Monster was not on the list, but as stated my experience is limited and heavily tilted to FL/GA. I am only learning of golf in the northeast. Still, I have played enough course to know Doral must be one of the wettests out there.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Thanks again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com